It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like.....

Christmas! Our home is starting to look and feel more festive. I've been burning an Evergreen candle from Williams-Sonoma practically non-stop. It makes the entire place smell like an evergreen forest, which is nice since we have an artificial pre-lit tree. This week I plan on buying some fresh evergreen garland to add to the tops of my mirrors and pictures. Here is a little cathedral church I purchased at Homegoods and embellished with a few of my vintage baubles.

It's such a quick way to spruce up a store bought item and make it more personal. I used a vintage French postage stamp as the doormat and a few earrings as a wreath and bell tower topper. And lastly, I added a pair of miniature bird ornaments to the trees, simple and very inexpensive.

I thought I'd have a little Parade of Ornaments and show you some of the hundreds I've collected over the years. I love the hand blown glass ornaments and enjoy finding new ones each year to add to the tree.

Sugar topped ginger bread houses are always a sweet treat!

And a pair of fur lined ice skates, wish I had a pair that looked like these.

This large snow covered village ornament is one of my favorites and in the background is one of Sweet Girls snow angels.

Over the years I've been given many garden themed ornaments from friends and family. This tradition started back when I owned a home & garden boutique. There are watering cans, wheel barrows, picket fences, birds, roses and sunflowers, just to name a few.

I'm very partial to my rose ornaments, and this little basket is a charming favorite.

And every year since she was born, I've given Sweet Girl a special ornament to commemorate the year, isn't this one adorable! We write the year on the bottom of each one and when she gets married I plan to give her the collection as a gift. Now I'm thinking I should have bought 2 of the same each year, just so I wouldn't have to part with them!

Well, I'm off to do some wrapping and I've got my trimmings ready to top the gifts. It's my favorite Christmas chore.

I'll be posting some of my holiday gift wrapping ideas with you as I finish. And also on the To-Do list this week is making my annual Peppermint Bark to give to friends and family, recipe and photos to follow. Wishing you all a wonderful week filled with holiday memories!

Comments

[debra schoch]

hello, merry christmas! just love your wonderful photos..your glass ornaments and christmas glitz is fab!! thanks for sharing!

[Polly]

We always do peppermint bark too! I love to give it as gifts.. but not quite as much as I love eating it =) We have a faux pre-lit tree also. A friend told me this week to put a little evergreen scented oil on some of the bulbs and that would give the scent of a real tree. I haven't tried it yet but it sounds like a good idea. I just peeked at your previous post and it got me wanting to visit a shop here in town. Thanks for the pictures. Blessings... Polly

[chris]

Heather~your ornaments are the sweetest! ALl adorable & must look fabulous on your tree! I saw a similar sparkly house in home goods today & grabbed it!LOL!Just gorgeous pictures to look at & always on your blog!:)

[blog@theinspiredroom.com]

What gorgeous decorations. I love Homegoods! Looking forward to your wrapping ideas!

[Cielo]

Very lovely…

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace (Agnes M. Pharo).

Enjoy the Season

Cielo

[Megan]

Heather---
I love your ornaments! Where did you get the Volkswagen ornament that you go for your daughter? I would love to get one!

[Veronica]

There just aren't any left like this collection anymore.. 'fraid the newer ones don't do much for me.

[karla nathan]

The church decor is a great idea, and isn't Homegoods the best?? I always find something there to load into the Brave Little Toaster and take home.

[jessi nagy]

SO AWESOME! I LOVE THAT BEETLE BUG ORNIE. SHE WILL HAVE A GREAT COLLECTION TO START WITH!
JESSI

[Rosemary]

Beautiful decorations Heather.
Thanks for sharing. Can't wait for your recipe for peppermint bark.
Rosemary

[Alison Gibbs]

What gorgeous ornaments you have collected over the years.
Alison

[Raised In Cotton]

Simply beautiful! Love, love the white church and how you embellished it~perfect~sigh~I am coming over for some peppermint bark and a Holiday chat:)

xoxo
Carol

[Cheryl Dack]

I am soooo in love with your cathedral! Just gorgeous. And how sweet that you give your daughter an ornament each year. Love that!

[Victoria]

Some lovely ornaments, mum decorated our tree last night and it was so fun looking at the decorations as they were coming out of the boxes.

Victoria

[JO]

Your holiday decorations are stunning but the thing I like the best is your getting an ornament for sweet girl ...saving them with the date for each year and givng them to her when she gets married.. what a lovely and inventive way to cherish memories

[Stacy]

Thanks for all the beautiful photos Heather, can't wait to see your gift-wrapped packages. Did you see the darling gift tags on Rebecca sower's blog? Wrapping presents is my favorite Christmas chore too!
Stacy

[Monicaa]

Beautiful as always! I havent been to HOMEGOODS in ages, may have to go in and check it out, thanks!

[Teresa]

Beautiful! I am excited about your present wrapping techniques, it's something I am horrible at, so I am curious to see how to make packages pretty. And peppermint bark--yumm!

Teresa

[Joy]

I love your church Heather and how you made it your own, what a great idea! Also love the fact that you give your daughter a special ornament each year, what a great tradition. :)

[karen]

I just spotted some gorgeous photos on your flickr stream and then found your blog. How gorgeous is this blog? Thank you for thin inspiration.

Blessings, Karen

[Linda Mackintosh]

The photos are charming. That is what I like to pull from this time of year, the charm in the movies I watch, the songs that are played, the decorations that are displayed, the holiday wrappings. Matter of fact, I have used your photo of the pinecones in the wooden shovel as my background on my computer. Love the tone. Looking forward to more postings including your holiday wrapping ideas. Have a great time preparing. I think I have the most fun preparing. Thanks. Linda